From: Burgundy, France
Varietal: Chardonnay
On the northern heights of Santenay, the Terrasses de Bievaux are on the Bievaux climate, whose name comes from a water source nearby. Bievaux comes from the latin word Bedus (the canal, waterway) et the Burgundian dialect vaus which means hilly, referring to the relief of the climate. Historically this land in Santenay was known for producing excellent white wines, but after phylloxera hit, the hillside was left abandoned. It wasn’t until the 1960s-70s that the hillside was replanted with vines on terraces to facilitate harvest on the steep slopes. This vineyard's thin clay soils covered in limestone marls, combined with the refreshing microclimate of the woods nearby, give Girardin's Chardonnay vines the perfect home to achieve ripeness while maintaining elegance. Even now, less than 20% of Santenay production is white wine. This wine spends about a year in French oak, about 15% of which are new.
Tasting Notes: This is a mineral-driven wine; both well-structured and balanced, with abundant flavors of ripe tree fruits, juicy citrus notes, and hints of vanilla. It has a focused core with floral highlights and the slight suggestion of smoky hazelnut.
Pairing: This wine can be enjoyed alongside a wide range of dishes, from chicken stew to cheeses (Camembert, Gruyere, Brie, Gouda) to crab, steamed prawns, and grilled chicken. It would also be delightful with fish stew, pâtés, and baked fish.
The Girardin name has been synonymous with elite-level Burgundy for 700 years, most recently through the wines of Justin’s uncle, Vincent Girardin, and his father, Jacques Girardin. With the provenance of this family’s holdings and the talent seemingly entrenched in this bloodline, Justin is more than a name to watch – He is without question one of the most exciting young names in the region, farming 17 hectares of vines in Pommard, Chassagne Montrachet, and Savigny-les-Beaune using organic and biodynamic practices.
Transparency is the name of the game – Only native yeast is used here, and it is rare to experience the influence of new oak in any of Justin’s bottlings. The family believes in clonal diversity as both a way to preserve culture and a way to increase complexity of finished wines – You’ll see a dizzying number of clonal selections in each of their vineyard holdings. These are Burgundies of precision, and also wines that deliver tremendous value.
